Get Rich Outdoors
Here you will find a weekly update on select events and activities happening in northern Ohio national, state and county parks, which are in the NewsChannel 5 viewing area. Programs sometimes change for weather and other unforeseen circumstances! Check the park web-site before traveling.
Pick of the Park's for Friday, June 24 to Thursday, June 30, 2016
Featured Event
Civil War Encampment: East Harbor
Saturday, June 25, East Harbor State Park, 1169 North Buck Road Lakeside, Marblehead Ohio
Phone : (419) 723-4424
Come join us as the Civil War comes back to life during this weekend. Wander through the settlers' shops as they ply their wares, and wander through the encampments. Everyone will find something to appreciate. Did we mention a battle or two between Confederate and Federal troops? Phone: (419) 723-4424
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Boston Mills Artfest: Preview Night
Friday, June 24, 6 to 9 p.m. Boston Mills Ski Resort.
Attend the opening night of this nationally recognized fine art and craft show. Fee. For more information visit bmbw.com and click on Events.
Boston Mills Artfest
Saturday June 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sunday June 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Boston Mills Ski Resort.
Attend this nationally recognized fine art and craft show. Fee. For more information visit bmbw.com and click on Events.
Beat the Heat Hike
Sunday, June 26, 8 to 10:30 a.m., Pine Land Trailhead.
Hike 6 miles on the unpaved, hilly Buckeye and Valley trails. For more information call 330 -657-2752.
For the complete Cuyahoga Valley National Park events calendar click:
http://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/events.htm
Ohio State Parks
Cruise-into Summer: Findley
Sunday, June 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Findley State Park
Join Friends of Findley, Inc. at the Beach Parking lot for their annual car show. Music, prizes, food, nature programs, etc. Call Bill Martin at (440) 487-2095 for more information.
For a complete list of Northern Ohio State Park events click:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/resources/events/tabid/487/Default.aspx
Cleveland Metroparks
In Search of Fireflies
Saturday, June 25 at 9:30 to 11 p.m., South Chagrin Reservation, Squaw Rock parking lot,
Join a naturalist as we venture into the forest in search of fireflies. Our ultimate prize will be if we can spot a congregation of synchronizing fireflies. Terrain Difficulty: dark trail, 2 miles. Free.
Drop In and Drop a Line
Sunday, June 26, 10 to noon, North Chagrin Reservation, North Chagrin Nature Center, 3037 SOM Center Road, Willoughby Hill, OH 44094
Bring your little ones by North Chagrin Nature Center for an opportunity to land a fish out of historic Sunset Pond. Naturalist Jake Kudrna will be out on the back patio with a few cane poles rigged up for children to try their hand at fishing the old-school way. Free.
For the complete Cleveland Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.clemetparks.com/events/index.asp
Ashland County Parks
Hopkins Landing
This 4-acre park is one of the four Ashland County Parks located along the Jerome Fork of the Mohican River. Ashland County has identified the Jerome Fork Valley as a natural corridor in its comprehensive land use plan. This park offers fishing and picnicking as well as access to the river for canoeing (at your own risk).
For the complete Ashland County Parks events calendar click:
https://sites.google.com/site/ashlandcoparks/
Crawford County Parks
Viewing the Night Sky
Saturday, June 25, 9 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park
Join members of the Lowe-Volk Astronomy Club as they share their knowledge and telescope skills with all who are interested in the celestial sights. Sky targets for June: Jupiter and 4 moons; M-51, the Whirlpool Galaxy; M-81 and M-82 – two galaxies in one eyepiece field; M-44, the Beehive Open Cluster. Bring your own telescope or allow the volunteers to assist you with those provided. It is a spectacular universe.
The Cleveland, Southwestern and Columbus Railway
Sunday, June 26, 2 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park
The interurban rail systems fulfilled a transportation need in the late 18 and early 1900’s. Join Ralph Pfingsten, Northern Ohio Railway Museum Volunteer, for an informative photo presentation about the people and places that were served by the Cleveland, Southwestern and Columbus Railway. The end of the line for these trollies was in Crawford County at Bucyrus. The interurban railway that ran between Galion and Bucyrus was constructed in hopes that citizens would find amusement and relaxation at the midpoint development called Seccaium Park. Many such parks were located all along the CS and C Railway. Once the Bucyrus-Galion line was connected to Crestline and Mansfield, Luna Park’s Amusement Rides and Coliseum in Mansfield became easily reachable, too. Pfingsten, a history buff, herpetologist and retired biology teacher, invites all to visit the Northern Ohio Railway Museum at 5515 Buffham Rd, Seville. The museum, which is near Chippewa Lake, is open from 10am to 4pm daily. Come, meet Ralph on June 26 at Lowe-Volk Park, and learn about interurban rail travel.
Turtle Talk (or Talkin’ Turtles)
Wednesday, June 29, 5 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park
Come out to Lowe-Volk and learn all about turtles. Join Lisa Bogard to learn about the things they eat, their unique behaviors, discuss ways that they are made to survive and other fascinating facts about these reptiles. We’ll also go on a hike to see if we can spot any turtles in the park.
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Train Rides!
Saturday, June 25, 1 to 3 p.m., East Sandusky Bay MetroPark, Eagle Point, 3819 Cleveland Rd, Sandusky.
Erie Metro Live Steamers will have miniature steam-powered engines available to pull passengers through the park! Fun for all! All rides are weather dependent.
Walk With a Doc
Monday, June 27, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Lions Park, 421 LaSalle St, Sandusky.
Walk with a Doc is an organization dedicated to encouraging healthy physical activity in people of all ages. Join a local doctor for a brief health chat followed by a walk every Monday! Snacks and water will be provided.
Metropark Hikers
Wednesday, June 29, 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m., East Sandusky Bay MetroPark, Eagle Point, 3819 Cleveland Rd, Sandusky.
Let’s hike the trails and explore your MetroParks with a fun group!
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Geauga Park District
Nights Out in the Park: Movie Night
Saturday, June 25, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., Observatory Park
View the classic movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at this International Dark Sky Park and enjoy opportunities to take in a planetarium show and spy deep into the sky using park telescopes! Pre-show astronomy activities at 8:30 p.m.; movie at dark. Free popcorn and lemonade. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Summer Beach Schedule at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park
Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend
Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park 440-639-9972
Lifeguards on duty, kayak and stand up paddleboard rentals available, and concession stand open daily (weather-permitting). Parking fee applies; click here: http://www.lakemetroparks.com/parks/fairport-harbor.shtml
for operating hours and park amenities.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/
Lorain County Parks
Benjamin Bacon Museum Tours
Sunday, June 26, 1 to 4 p.m., Vermilion River Reservation, The Benjamin Bacon Museum
Self-guided tour through this 1845 Greek Revival style home. For more information call (440) 967-7310.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Healthy Strides
Saturday, June 25, 9 to 10 a.m., Buckeye Woods Park
Healthy Strides combines a brief, informative talk by a Cleveland Clinic physician and caregiver and a casual one- to three-mile walk. Topics change each week based on the leader's specialty and suggestions from participants. All members of the community are welcome. Ages 10 to adult. No registration required. Free.
Cycling Makes Sense Fitness Ride
Tuesday, June 28, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Buckeye Woods Park, Meet in the parking lot by the ball fields.
This program, offered by Medina County Park District and Century Cycles, is a great way for you to get out on your bicycle for a non-aggressive ride and experience the park district's wonderful multipurpose trails. Before we begin our six- to ten-mile ride, Lynne of Century Cycles will share basic tips on how to keep you and your bike fit. Helmets are required. Meet in the parking lot near ball fields. Ages 16 to adult. No registration required. Free.
For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.medinacountyparks.com/programs/
Portage County Parks
2016 Wild Hikes Challenge
Enjoy the beauty of nature in Portage Parks while getting fit! The Portage Park District is presenting the 2016 Wild Hikes Challenge at its local parks and hike & bike trails. Just walk 8 of the designated trails before December 31st to earn a locally made hiking stick and 2016 brass medallion, this year commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Portage Park District. Hike on your own or come along on the guided hikes led by Park District staff and volunteers. (You can join the hikes whether or not you take the Challenge).
Your 4-legged hiking buddies can earn a dog tag for completing the Challenge with you. Most of the designated trails are rated as easy, with length ranging from 1-3 miles. If hikers can’t make all of the listed trails, they are able to substitute up to 2 of the trails with ones of their own choosing within the Park District system. Suggested donations to help cover program costs are $5/medallion and $10/hiking staff. Our Foundation makes it possible to provide the hiking staffs and annual medallions.
Hiking staffs are hand hewn by Hiram Farm workers in Hiram Township, Portage County OH.
This year we have 2 types of medallions to choose from: Hiking Staff medallion & Dog Tag medallion
To make a donation for a hiking staff and/or medallion, please make Checks out to:
Portage Park District Foundation
705 Oakwood St. Suite G-4
Ravenna, OH 44266
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Running Stark: Group Run
Saturday, June 25, 6 to 7 p.m., Mahoning Valley Trail, meet at Deer Creek Reservoir
Join Stark Parks for a 1-3 mile group run along the Mahoning Valley Trail. Runners of all abilities and paces are welcome. Come wearing appropriate running attire for the weather and bring your own water. Meet at Deer Creek Reservoir. Free.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Bugs for Kids
Friday, June 24, 1 to 2 p.m., Silver Creek Metro Park, Bathhouse, 5000 Hametown Rd., Norton
Join us for a short hike to explore bugs with a naturalist. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Buckeye Martinfest
Saturday, June 25, 2 to 4 p.m., Portage Lakes State Park, State Mill Launch Ramp, 809 State Mill Rd., Akron
Celebrate purple martins, the birds that are aerial acrobats and insect-eaters! All participants are welcome to feed scrambled eggs to the martins and watch the banding of babies with the Portage Lakes Purple Martin Association. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Wildflower Walk
Sunday, June 26, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Munroe Falls Metro Park, Tallmadge Meadows Area, 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge
Learn the basics of summer wildflower identification and past historic uses. For information, call 330-865-8065.
History Hike
Monday, June 27, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Gorge Metro Park, Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls
Discover the unique history of this park while hiking along Gorge Trail. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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